Alex Nourse

China

Spring 2014

Major:

Hometown:

Other activities:

How did you choose the location of your Education Abroad experience?

The reason why I chose China was to further broaden my research of the Chinese language and culture.

How has your time in another country impacted your view of the world and your future goals?

This experience taught me that I would love to travel abroad for a living as well as learn as many foreign languages as possible to fully experience the host country’s culture

What was your best/worst meal while abroad?

The best meal I had in Beijing was the home cooked meal that one of my friend’s mother cooked for us. The worst meal would be the street noodles I ate that gave me food poisoning.

If you ever visit your host country again, what will be on your list of things to do?

When I visit China again, I would love to go to Xian to see the Terracotta warriors and spend more time in the French Concession in Shanghai.

What advice can you give fellow students who are considering the Education Abroad program?

The only advice I can give my fellow classmates who are considering to study abroad is to be fearless and do it! It is better to explore a foreign country and have a fun time rather than stay at home and regret not going.

Other activities:

How did you choose the location of your Education Abroad experience?

I wanted to go somewhere I knew nothing about, somewhere foreign to me and everything I knew. I also wanted to be somewhere I could travel to different countries from. After a lot of research I chose Croatia because it’s in Europe (easy to travel), because the classes were transferrable to my area of study, and I was intrigued by its history and culture.

How has your time in another country impacted your view of the world and your future goals?

My time abroad has given me a bigger perspective of the world. I am now able to really wrap my head around the maps I’ve seen so many times. It’s a pretty big world and America is just a small part of it. I want to spend my time here bettering the lives of those less fortunate. How? Maybe it will relate to financial advising or I/O psychology… maybe I’ll join the Peace Corps, I’m not sure yet.

What was your best/worst meal while abroad?

The worst meal I ate abroad was an octopus sandwich. It came cold, topped with some sort of sauce and the tentacles on my tongue became too much for me! I tried it and I hated it.

My Croatian classmate’s family gave me my favorite meal on my last night in Croatia. We had soup, two types of salad, ribs, two types of potatoes, and vegetables. It was partly my favorite because it felt the most authentic, but I also love it because every dish was delicious.

If you ever visit your host country again, what will be on your list of things to do?

Rent a scooter (or Vespa as we know it)

Travel more of Croatia using that way of transportation

See what it’s like when tourist season is in full swing (summer)

Hike Mount Surd (pronounced “surge”)

Learn to sail

Visit Medjugorje

Say hello to my friends!

What advice can you give fellow students who are considering the Education Abroad program?

Consider your travel goals, education requirements, and the financial implications while choosing a program. You will learn something wherever you go. It’s the chance of a lifetime, you won’t regret it!

Abby Romesberg

The Netherlands

Spring 2014

Major:

Advertising & Public Relations

Minor:

Organizational Communications

Hometown:

Rockwood, Pa.

Other activities:

Up ’til Dawn, Student Alumni Association, Alternative Spring Break

How did you choose the location of your Education Abroad experience?

I wanted a place that not everyone thinks of for study abroad, and a place that fit my personality and values. So, I went online and took about five different quizzes about “what country should you live in/travel too/study abroad?”… and The Netherlands was the only place that came up on each quiz. I was sold. Plus, how cool does Amsterdam sound and look … pretty cool!

How has your time in another country impacted your view of the world and your future goals?

I’ve previously traveled abroad for other trips with Marietta College, but being away for an entire semester let me know that I can do it! Not only did I find that I was capable of being abroad for four months, I fell in love with it. The trip set in stone that I want to continue to travel, and even live abroad, for the rest of my life!

What was your best/worst meal while abroad?

The best meal I had abroad was a fish dish in Santorini, Greece. I still dream of it! The worst meal I had abroad was a traditional Dutch croquette, filled with a hot meat-ish filling… that was like a pureed hotdog in the most unappealing form.

If you ever visit your host country again, what will be on your list of things to do?

It’s not a matter of if, but WHEN I will travel back to The Netherlands. Of all the places I’ve been lucky enough to see in this world, Amsterdam is my favorite. I would go immediately to Amsterdam, rent a bike, and ride around the canals with a stroopwafel in my hand! (if you’ve never had/seen a stroopwafel, you’re missing out).

What advice can you give fellow students who are considering the Education Abroad program?

DO IT! I try to live by the saying “we only regret the chances we don’t take.” There is nothing to lose, but everything to gain, and think of all the stories you will have! Oh, and…Amsterdam should be on the top of your list!

Haley Bibbee

Croatia

Fall 2014

Major:

Political Science and Music

Minor:

Leadership Studies

Hometown:

Cottonport, La.

Other activities:

Chi Omega, Concert Choir, Theater, NextGen Program, EIR Program

How did you choose the location of your Education Abroad experience?

I wanted to go somewhere a bit off the grid, somewhere study abroad students don’t really venture to, much less study.

How has your time in another country impacted your view of the world and your future goals?

My future plans are to become an International Human Rights Lawyer in Europe, so being in Europe helped me remember that is where I truly want to be, but Croatia itself wasn’t a place that helps much if you want to learn off a new culture, but rather bask in its glorious scenery along the Adriatic Sea.

What was your best/worst meal while abroad?

My best (and cheapest) meal was in a road trip to Mostar, Bosnia, where I split a meat platter with three other girls, filled with stuffed steaks and chicken and kebabs and fries for only about $8 each. My worst meal . . . trying to fix myself a meal of Bolognese spaghetti in my apartment.

If you ever visit your host country again, what will be on your list of things to do?

If I ever went back, I would probably make my way back to Plitvice Lakes in northern Croatia as well as finally hiking Mount Srd and go cliff jumping back at upper Buza Bar.

What advice can you give fellow students who are considering the Education Abroad program?

Don’t ever for a second doubt that you will not enjoy where you go, because even if you may not be able to find “exciting” things to do in your city or town, it isn’t hard to travel elsewhere, even if for just a weekend, and do something you wouldn’t normally do. Don’t dip your toes in the water, cannonball in.

Alex Seals

Australia

Fall 2014

Major:

Advertising & Public Relations

Minor:

Graphic Design

Hometown:

Marysville, Ind.

Other activities:

How did you choose the location of your Education Abroad experience?

I chose Australia because it was a place to which I have always wanted to travel. I chose the specific university (University of Wollongong) based on location and size. It was close enough to Sydney that I could visit if I wanted to, but was outside of the busy city life.

How has your time in another country impacted your view of the world and your future goals?

As of right now, I don’t really know how it has affected my future goals, but it was definitely fun and interesting to meet new people and make new friends from around the world.

What was your best/worst meal while abroad?

The food was similar for the most part, but the most interesting thing that I tried was kangaroo.

If you ever visit your host country again, what will be on your list of things to do?

Firstly, visit my friends that I made while I was abroad. Then I would want to travel to all of the places that I did not get to go to when I was there the first time.

What advice can you give fellow students who are considering the Education Abroad program?

Start planning and saving money early. The earlier you plan and get things arranged to go, the less stressful it is when the deadline comes to apply. Also, save up as much money as possible and spend it wisely because there were some places that I wanted to travel to but couldn’t because I ran out of money.

Shannon Johnston

Peru

Fall 2014

Major:

Organizational Communication & Public Relations

Minor:

Graphic Design

Hometown:

Arlington, Va.

Other activities:

Alpha Xi Delta

How did you choose the location of your Education Abroad experience?

I wanted to go to a Spanish speaking country to practice speaking Spanish. I also have always dreamed of going to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, which are located in Peru.

How has your time in another country impacted your view of the world and your future goals?

I want to continue to speak Spanish. I feel like it is very important to not limit myself to working with English speakers only. I have been considering the Peace Corps because of seeing the poverty and injustices that are happening all over the globe. We definitely take things for granted here in the U.S. I did not have water to drink, I had to boil water or buy it from a store. I was living with a pretty well-to-do family, so I cannot imagine what it would be like to have to willingly subject my body to the parasites and grime in the water to remain hydrated like many in Cusco have to do.

What was your best/worst meal while abroad?

I ate Guinea Pig. I honestly cannot remember what it tasted like because I was too in shock by the fact that I was eating it to pay attention to the taste.

If you ever visit your host country again, what will be on your list of things to do?

Visit my family and my schools. Spend more time in Lima and other northern cities. Hike the Inca Trail.

What advice can you give fellow students who are considering the Education Abroad program?

Just do it. Your program will make sure that you see all you need to see while you are there and you can travel on your own as well. You will meet the most interesting people who will make you open your eyes and your heart to other ways of life. All that you and believe will be challenged, you will come back changed or reassured in who you are and what you believe.